Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Williams
Hi Desiree, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always shown an interest in the beauty and fashion world but I saw my potential around 12 or 13 when I started doing my hair. I transitioned to taking clients during my junior and senior years of high school. I then went to college and took a break from hair to focus on school. After some self-discovery, I realized that I didn’t have to limit my talents and could use what I was learning in my business and apparel merchandising classes to build my own business. Once that realization set in, I took my hair business more serious and even began providing virgin hair bundles to girls all over campus and Indiana. By my senior year in college, I knew I would be moving to Atlanta to pursue a career in cosmetology after graduation. And I did just that. By the fall of 2018, I had moved to ATL, found a salon home, quit my 9-5, and was thriving doing something I loved. It was a very slow start and is still a growing business but I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been far from smooth or easy. I first began in a salon owned by a mailman. Because he wasn’t in the industry, it wasn’t the best situation for me as a new stylist in Atlanta and I did struggle with growing my clientele. Soon after I was offered a booth position at a braid bar. This was probably the best person I’ve worked for (ByRavenRayanna) and she helped me use my business skills and creative side to market myself as a brand. During this time I decided it was time for me to enroll in cosmetology school and that’s when I left the braid bar to go to school full time. This was probably the biggest part of the struggle. I was not able to work a full time job because of school hours but I still had bills to pay such as rent. I ended up having to threaten to sue the school and report them to several agencies because they incorrectly filed my FASFA. It really broke the inspiration in me. A year or so later I finally got the courage to go back home, enroll in Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, and graduate as a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Indiana. This journey will always have ups and downs but it’s what I decided to commit to and learn from. I still struggle with clients here and there but I know that God is introducing me to a new season.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a licensed cosmetologist and beautypreneur. As a beautypreneur, I build businesses that support the beauty industry, such as my hair/wig line, hot tool line, and more. As a cosmetologist I specialize in nurturing natural and chemically treated hair with braids, extension installs, silk presses, and more. I’ve always been known as a braider and it’s what made my brand such a recognizeable one in my home state, but I’ve recently gained more experience with other styles and have grown to love quick weaves and silk presses the most.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory goes back to a staple event in my community, basketball games. I was a cheerleader and my school was well known for basketball. We went to state championships every year of high school, so we were pretty competitive. The loud stands, the diss chants, half time shows, were all apart of a culture that we built through the years as a community in Gary. It was a time where we could be aggressive and root for our teams and it wouldn’t have to result in violence. I remember being happy and really invested into sports at the time. It was just a good time and if we played our rival schools, the whole city would show up to watch the boys play and us cheer.
Pricing:
- All of my pricing includes shampoos and deep condition (first time clients).
- I’ve recently raised my pricing after becoming licensed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bookwithdesdidmyhair.as.me
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/desdidmyhair
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9fNzBJ-XYO8tsTOskjdLQw
